NT Vince Wilfork
(on how it feels to be a member of the Texans) Its a little different, but at the same time, exciting. Being 11 years in New England, this is kind of different for me. The transition, Im trying to make it as smooth as possible, but everything so far has been great. The city has been great, the teammates. Seeing new coaches, old faces. Everything has been good so far, so hopefully it will continue to be that way throughout this whole duration.
(on what he hopes to bring to the team) Just a lot of leadership and fun. Knowledge if they are seeking it and just what it takes to be a good teammate. What it takes to win ball games and play at the highest level. Just being more consistent of what we do. Everybody loves to win, so hopefully we can do a lot of that now especially now that Im here. It will be fun times, it will definitely be fun.
(on what hes seen from the team so far) So far, right now, I mean a team is a team. One thing I do notice is that its a tight group. They love to play football. Until you put on pads and go through training camp, until youre first game, thats when you can start building. Right now, with the strength and condition right now, just getting back in the flow things and getting guys around is a good thing. Weve been away from something we love for a while, so every now and then you start to bite at the bit. I think coming here the first day, guys were excited to get back going. Im looking forward to the season.
(on Head Coach Bill OBriens biggest strength) Knowledge, knowledge. Hes very smart. He brings a smartness to the game. Hes a great offensive minded coach and a great leader. Hes a fun coach. The same guy that was in New England, I see here. Just going to the first team meeting, just seeing how happy he is and how fun he is. You could tell why guys want to play for him. I know it was a little different, but at the same time, its good just knowing him a little bit. Hopefully, we can keep that going and keep guys around here loose and winning ball games at the same time. Thats the ultimate goal.
(on playing next to DE J.J. Watt) Its good. Its a good feeling to have, so Im looking forward to it definitely.
(on how he can help NT Louis Nix III) Only thing you can do for a teammate is be there for him. Sometimes people need different things, so I dont know exactly what he needs. I dont know if he needs some type of talking to or just leading by example. Thats what this is all about right now, coming in and getting going. Being able to work out with your teammates and spend half a day with them. You get a chance to know one another. With me being a new guy, people get a chance to know me and I get a chance to know the team. I think throughout this course of the year, I would see a lot of things and might not see a lot of things that people may need. They might be all different things. Thats what its all about. Leaders are not just people that talk. Sometimes its good just leading by example. Through the course of my career, Ive never been a big talker. I always let my play speak for itself and just show guys how I work. Being in the game, this is my 12th year, so still being able to do it. I think a lot of times, thats more than enough.
(on the Texans defensive philosophy) Same coaching tree. (Defensive Coordinator) Romeo Crennel and (Linebackers Coach Mike) Vrabel and those guys. Same background that Ive been in New England. Im pretty sure there will be some different things that I havent done over the last couple of years, but at the same time, the foundation is about the same. I know the mindset. I know what they are looking for in certain schemes. Things that I dont know, I will learn so that wont be hard.
(on who mentored him when he first came in the league) Well, one of them is actually a coach here now, thats (Linebackers Coach Mike) Vrabel. He was one of the guys. He was my linebacker with me. He taught me a lot of things. Teddy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Rodney Harrison, Richard Seymour, and Ty Warren. All these guys I learned from and youre talking about guys that have won championships and that have been on teams that know how to win and being in a city that knows how to win. It was easy for me to come in from college to go to an organization like that and pick up where I left off in college, winning ball games and being around good guys. I think at the end of the day thats what its all about, being around some good guys and guys that love the game. What Ive seen today and what Ive seen in past years, especially last year, this team definitely loves to play. Thats a good thing.
(on why veteran players are better mentors for young players than coaches) Sometimes you can relate as a player. Player to player, you can kind of relate a lot more. You can spend a lot more time together off the field. As a coach, sometimes people look at coaches as coaches. Sometimes people might think coaches dont have the best information for them at the time. As a player, you can put yourself in their shoes. Weve been there before. Weve all been rookies. Weve all been down and had some things that we can relate to. Its easy for us to go sit, have lunch or dinner, and talk about some things. Thats the biggest difference in a coach and a player trying to get through to a player.
(on how long it will take to adjust to Houston weather) It will be a little adjustment and it will take a couple weeks for me, but I grew up in the South so I kind of know how hot it can get. Im not looking forward to it, but looking forward to it. Thats one thing I always said in my career, no matter if Im playing in 100 degree or playing in -1 degree, I never play the weather. Im playing the team. Just condition right, get my body ready to go through another season, hopefully its a good season, and go from there.